Minnesota Pork Names Director of Communications, Director of Public Policy Strategy and Sustainability

/in /by

Mankato, MN – The Minnesota Pork Producers Association (MPPA) has announced Bailey Ruen as the new director of communications and has promoted Lauren Servick as director of public policy strategy and sustainability.

Ruen Named Director of Communications  

As director of communications, Ruen leads image and public relations strategies to build trust in Minnesota’s more than 3,000 family pig farmers. Her responsibilities include developing digital content, video, audio and print media, website management, and external media relations.

“On behalf of the Minnesota Pork Board of Directors and staff, I am excited to announce the addition of Bailey Ruen to the Minnesota Pork team,” said Jill Resler, CEO of the Minnesota Pork Board and Minnesota Pork Producers Association. “Bailey’s desire to serve Minnesota pig farmers, her communication background, and agrarian roots will serve our industry well as we continue to build trust in Minnesota’s family pig farmers.”

Ruen’s passion for the industry began while growing up on her family’s pig and crop farm near Lanesboro, Minnesota. She is a 2022 University of Minnesota graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communication and Marketing. She has most recently been employed as an associate account executive at agricultural marketing agency, Curious Plot.

Servick Promoted to Director of Public Policy Strategy and Sustainability

Servick has been promoted to director of public policy strategy and sustainability, where she’ll lead the development of public policy strategy and sustainability efforts.

“Lauren’s demonstrated experience in the sustainability and public policy arenas will be invaluable as we continue to defend Minnesota pig farmer’s permission to operate,” said Resler. “Her passion to serve Minnesota pig farmers in a dynamic and complex operating environment is unmatched – we are fortunate to have Lauren on the team as we work to ensure opportunities for future generations of pig farmers in Minnesota.”

Servick joined the MPPA as director of communications and marketing in January 2017, later becoming more involved in public policy efforts. Servick most recently served as the director of marketing and public policy engagement since June 2018.

Ruen’s first day on staff was April 25. She can be reached at bailey@mnpork.com.

Servick can be reached at lauren@mnpork.com.

Bailey Ruen

Bailey Ruen, Director of Communications

Lauren

Lauren Servick, Director of Public Policy Strategy and Sustainability

Minnesota Pork Consolidates to One Board of Directors

/in /by

Joint Black LogoAs part of Minnesota Pork’s 2021 Strategic Planning session, together the MPB and MPPA board members directed the formation of a taskforce to consider structuring our organizational leadership so that a joint board of directors oversaw the work of the voluntary membership organization and mandatory checkoff organization. That taskforce met and provided a recommendation to each board of directors leading to an advisement encouraging the board of directors to take all steps necessary to transition to a single board governing both the MPB and the MPPA.

The primary purpose of the advisement is to combine the two separate boards of directors into one consolidated board that will oversee the management of the two organizations. The taskforce and boards believe these changes will improve the efficiency and reduce administrative and overhead expenses while continuing to maintain the two organizations as separate entities.

Prior to the Minnesota Pork Congress, the MPPA and MPB entered a Joint Session together on February 20, 2023, to consider amendments to each organization’s bylaws which included changes to the structure of the boards of directors. Motions were approved by both organizations to adopt the amendments and eligible voting members of each organization proceeded to elect the executive board of directors: Daryl Timmerman, President; Todd Selvik, Vice-President; and Dr. Abbie Redalen, Secretary.

Jill Resler Named Minnesota Pork CEO

/in /by

JillMankato, MN – The Minnesota Pork Producers Association (MPPA) announces Jill Resler will be the organization’s next CEO, effective immediately. Resler has held multiple roles in her 13-year tenure with Minnesota Pork, most recently serving as chief operating officer (COO) and interim CEO. Resler, a Minnesota-native, brings significant experience leading programs to promote pork and advocating for the state’s more than 3,000 family pig farmers.

Resler proceeds longtime CEO, David Preisler, who led the organization for 28 years.

“After a national, farmer-led search process, we’re excited to announce Jill Resler as our next CEO. Jill has demonstrated a passion for the pork industry, skilled leadership as a visionary, and has unmatched organizational skills; she is deeply respected by Minnesota pig farmers and partners inside and out of the pork industry.  Jill has the leadership, foresight, integrity, and work ethic to be successful as our next CEO,” says John Anderson, MPPA President and farmer from Belgrade, Minnesota.  

Resler joined the MPPA staff as Director of Producer Outreach in May 2009 working closely with pig farmers and industry stakeholders leading grassroots engagement. She also served as Director of Education where she led efforts to develop the pork industry’s critical human capital. Since 2017, she has served as COO overseeing Minnesota Pork Checkoff programs and staff development.

“It is a privilege and an honor to have been chosen as the next CEO of the Minnesota Pork Board and Minnesota Pork Producers Association. As CEO, I look forward to working alongside a talented and dedicated team and exceptional producer leaders to move our industry forward,” Resler says. “I have spent my career listening to, understanding, and advocating for farmers. I look forward to deepening relationships with our farmers and continuing to build collaborative partnerships while investing in and developing the next generation.”

Resler was raised on a farm in Southwest Minnesota where she still actively farms with her family on their row crop and cattle farm. She’s a 2009 graduate of South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications, Education and Leadership. Resler currently lives with her husband and three daughters on their livestock and row crop farm in rural Owatonna.

Wolters, Stevermer, and Malakowsky Lead National Pork Producers Council

/in /by

From the National Pork Producers Council

Terry LoriLOUISVILLE, KY, March 11, 2022 – The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) today installed new officers and elected members to its board of directors at its annual business meeting — the National Pork Industry Forum — held here.

Terry Wolters of Pipestone, Minnesota, was elevated to president of the organization for 2022-2023. Wolters owns Stoney Creek Farms, which consists of several sow farms, and is a partner in the Pipestone System. He also is a member of Wholestone Farms and is active in the Pipestone County Pork Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, South Dakota Pork Producers Council and the Minnesota Farm Bureau. He is chairman of NPPC’s Animal Health Food Security Policy Committee.

Wolters takes over from Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms in West Des Moines, Iowa, who becomes NPPC immediate past president and chairman of the council’s trade and nominating committees.

Scott Hays of Monroe City, Missouri, became NPPC president-elect. He is a fifth-generation pork producer and the CEO of Two Mile Pork, LLC. He is chairman of NPPC’s Competitive Markets Committee and active on the Missouri Pork Association board and committees, Missouri Corn Growers, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow, Monroe City FFA and Missouri Institute of Cooperatives.

The NPPC board of directors elected Lori Stevermer as vice president. Lori is co-owner of Trail’s End Farm in Easton, Minnesota, where she served on the executive board of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association. Stevermer has a history of advocating for the pork industry at the local, state and national levels.

Pat Hord of Ohio and Dwight Mogler of Iowa were elected as new members of the board, and Lori Stevermer of Minnesota and Russ Vering of Nebraska were each reelected to another three-year term. Steve Malakowsky of Wells, Minnesota, with Compeer Financial, was elected to a two-year term as the allied industry representative. They join current directors Craig Andersen of Centerville, South Dakota; Rob Brenneman of Washington, Iowa; Jason Brester of Sioux City, Iowa; Bob Ivey of Goldsboro, North Carolina; Dr. Jeremy Pittman of Waverly, Virginia; Jeb Stevens of Osgood, Indiana; and Duane Stateler of McComb, Ohio.

For NPPC’s nominating committee, Curt Zehr of Illinois was reelected, and Bill Knapke of Ohio was elected to the panel. Both will serve two-year terms.

“We have great leadership in Terry, Scott and Lori,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “Along with the board, including our new members, they will represent the interests of pork producers and the organization very well.”

Additionally, delegates at the meeting approved resolutions affirming the recommendations of the Pork Industry Taskforce.

Baack, Schafer and Schwartz Elected to MPPA Board

/in /by
Mppa Board

2022 MPPA Board Members Front to Back, Left to Right: Todd Marotz, John Anderson, Daryl Timmerman, Brandon Schafer. Back, Mike Mouw, Adam Barka, Vince Baack, and Tim Schwartz. Absent – Bill Drager

MANKATO, Minn. – Vince Baack, North Mankato; Brandon Schafer, Goodhue; and Tim Schwartz, Sleepy Eye were elected to the Minnesota Pork Producers Association (MPPA) during the Annual Meeting held on Wednesday, February 16, at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato following the Minnesota Pork Congress.

MPPA Board members are elected to three-year terms and work on behalf of Minnesota’s pig farmers to bring visionary leadership for its members by influencing public policy on a local, state and national level.

Leadership roles remained the same with John Anderson of Belgrade serving as MPPA president, Vince Baack as vice-president, and Adam Barka of Sleepy Eye as secretary.

“The Minnesota Pork Producers Association Board of Directors is diverse, representing the broad range of farms found throughout the state,” says president Anderson. “I’ve enjoyed leading the group these last two years and look forward to working on behalf of our members and partners through the next year.”

Other board members include Bill Drager, Mapleton; Todd Marotz, Sleepy Eye; Mike Mouw, Sioux Falls; Daryl Timmerman, North Mankato. In addition, Lori Stevermer of Easton and Terry Wolters of Pipestone currently serve as Minnesota representatives on the National Pork Producers Council Board of Directors.